Safety headlight or spotlight



Dec. 17, 1935. J, i. WADE SAFETY HEADLIGHT 0R sPoTLiG'HT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed MaIGh 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 17, 1935. J. T. WADE SAFETY HEADLIGHT OR SPOTLIGHT Filed March 20, 1935 Patented Dec. 17, 1935 PATENT orFicE I SAFETY HEADLIGET OR SPOTLIGHT James '1'. Wade, Ogden, Utah Application March 20,

3 Clalm.

This invention relates to a safety light signal- 'ing means capable oi use in any instance where ordinary illumination is desired and signaling illumination at times is desired, as in the case of a headlight, spotlight, tail light or otherwise in connection with self-propelled vehicles, railway rolling stock.

It is primarily aimed to provide means whereby a signaling lamp. usually, but not necessarily red, may be substituted for an illuminating lamp, expeditiously and interchangeably.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:-

Figure i is a horizontal sectional view illustrating my improvement;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of line 3-3 oi Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a view in a diagram showing the electrical connections.

Referring speciiically to the drawings, illustrating one embodiment of the invention by way of example, I6 designates a suitable casing or housing having a closure II hinged thereto at i2 which permits access at desired times to the parts for inspection, oiling, repair and the like. Fastened in any suitable way across the front of the casing is a lens I3 behind which is a usual parabolic reflector I4, the interior reecting surface being indicated at I5. The rear of the reiieetor I4, however, is cut away to provide a central round opening I6.

In accordance with the invention, said opening I6 is adapted to be selectively occupied by a round reflector section I1 which carries a lamp I8 for ordinary illumination or by a reilector I9 which carries a lamp 20 for signaling illumination and which lamp is usually red. The invention includes means whereby the said reflector sections and lamps are quickly substituted one for the other.

Horizontally movable arms 2l respectively carry one of said reflector sections and a lamp and such a arms are rigidly connected to vertical shafts 22 journaled in a suitable frame 23, such as a skeletaken i935, Serial No. 12,086

(Cl. 24o-37) ton rectangular frame, suitably carried by the reflector i4 on the rear surface thereof.

Uprights 24 are carried by and extend above the frame 23 and mount a copper or other suitable ccnducting tube 25 between them. Wind- 5 ings or solenoids 26 surround the tube 25 adjacent opposite ends and slidable within the tube 25 is an iron or other metallic armature 21 from which a loop 28 extends through an elongated slot 23 of the tube 25 to enable reciprocation of the 10 armature 21.

An arm 30 extends loosely through the loop 28, being pivoted at 3i at the upper end of a bracket 32 rising from the frame 23. Said arm 36 also passes through a loop or eyelet 33 of a connecting 15 link 34 pivoted at 35 to cranks 36 rigidly connected to the upper ends of the shafts 22. As a result, it will be realized that the solenoids 26 are energized as later explained, one at a time, pulling the armature 21 towards it and accordingly rock- 20 ing the arm 36, sliding link 34, and rocking the cranks 36, shafts 22 and swinging the arms 2l so that one reector member I1 and lamp I6 will move out oi the opening I6 while reflector member i5 and lamp 26 move into such opening I6, 25 or vice versa.

The electric current for energizing the solenoids 26 and for illuminating the lamps I8 and 26, is supplied for instance by a battery 31, one side of which is grounded as at 38, and the other s0 side of which has a conductor 39 leading to a switch arm 40 adapted to contact selectively with contact members 4I and 42. From the contact 4I a conductor 43 leads to a post 44 in conducting relation with a contact suitably mounted 35 and insulated at 46 on the frame. Conductor 44 is in conducting relation with a contact 41 from which a conductor 48 leads to one oi the solenoids 26. Both of the solenoids 26 are grounded as at 49 and 50. From the other solenoid 26, a 40 conductor 5I leads to a contact or post 52 `in conducting relation with a contact 53 and a contact 54, suitably mounted as at 55 on the frame 23. From the contact 54, a conductor'56 leads to the contact 42.

One side of the lamps I3 and 20 are grounded as at 51 and 58, and the other side by means of conductors 59 and 60 lead to contact iingers 6I and 62, carried by insulating blocks or the equivalent 63 and 64, attached to the shafts 22.

It will be -seen that the lamps I8 and 26 are illuminated only when the switch 40 respectively engages the contacts 4I and 42, and when the reflector section carrying them occupies the opening I6 because it is only at that time that the contacts 45 and 6I can engage or the contacts Il and B2 can engage, since, when the reflector sections are retracted, the contacts are disengaged as shown at the top of Figures 4 and 5 to advantage.

Bumpers or buffers of rubber or any other suitable material may be provided on the reector I4 at. to be engaged by the arms 2l when a reflector and lamp is moved to utile position in order to cushion the blow and reduce the shock. Obviously the arms 2| may be of any desired form, preferably being skeleton and light in weight, and equipped with any suitable bracing or reinforcing as at 66.

No limitation as to the use of the lamp is to be implied, nor as to the-color of the bulb. For instance, the principles of the invention may be used on railroad engines, motors, vehicles of all kinds, and particularly by highway-patrolmen, doctors, ambulances, nre departments, etc.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A device of the class described having a reflector provided with an opening, reflector sections interchangeably applicable to said opening, electric lamps carried by said reflector sections, one of said lamps being a signal lamp, an arm mounting each reflector section, said arms being spaced apart and movable in opposite directions one after the other, electromagnetic means operable to shift said arms, means to energize the electromagnets'and supply current to said lamps including switches, said arms serving to close the switchesin the operative position of the reector sections and to open said switches in the open position of the reflector sections, a. frame on the reflector, shafts journaled in the frame, cranks on the shafts,A linkage connecting the cranks, and an arm operated by the electromagnetic means to shift the links'.

2. A device of the class described having a reilector provided with an opening, reflector sections interchangeably applicable to said opening, lamps carried by said reflector sections, one 'of said lamps being a signal lamp, an arm mountadams) ing each reflector section, electromagnetic means operable to shift said arms, said lamps being electric, means to energize the Aelectromagnets and supply current to said lamps .including switches, said arms serving to close the switches in the operative position of the reflector sections and to open said switches in the open position of the reflector sections, a frame on the reflector, shafts Journaled in the frame, cranks on the shafts, linkage connecting the cranks, an arm l operated by the electromagnetic means to shift the link, said link having a loop through which the arm passes, an armature for the electromagnetic means having a loop through which the link passes, a bracket on the frame to which the link is pivoted, said electromagnetic means having a tube provided with a. slot through which said last mentioned link passes, and uprights rising from the frame mounting said tube.

3. A device of the class described having a reilector provided with an opening, reflector sec-v tions interchangeably applicable to said opening, lamps carried by said, reflector sections, one of said lamps being a signal lamp, an arm mounted each reflector section, electromagnetic means operable to shift said arms, said lamps-being electric, means to energize the electromagnets and supply current to said lamps including switches, said arms serving to close the switches in the operative position of the reflector sections and to open said switches in the open position of the reflector sections, a frame on the reflector, shafts journaled in the frame, cranks on the shafts, linkage connecting the cranks an arm operated by the electromagnetic means to shift the link, said link having a loop through which the arm passes, an armature for the electromagnetic means having a loop through which the link passes, a bracket on the frame to which the link is pivoted, said electromagnetic means having a tube provided with a slot through which said last mentioned link passes, uprights rising from the frame mounting said tube, and said switches comprising parts carried by the frame and by said arms.

JAMES T. WADE. 

